London on U.Va. struggling against Tech's defense, especially on third downs

London on U.Va. struggling against Tech's defense, especially on third downs

nwood@dailypress.com

London plans to soon address the contract statuses of his assistant coaches with AD Craig Littlepage

BLACKSBURG — Leaving Blacksburg on Friday without the Commonwealth Cup, again, after Virginia's 24-20 loss to Virginia Tech meant a week that started with such promise ended up not being nearly as satisfying as it could've been for U.Va. coach Mike London.

This week had all the makings of one of the best of London's career. U.Va. (5-7, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) extended its bowl hopes Nov. 22 with a shocking 30-13 win against Miami. Then, U.Va. athletic director Craig Littlepage announced Wednesday that London would be retained for a sixth season as the Cavaliers' coach.

After U.Va. suffered its 11th consecutive loss to Tech and were knocked from bowl contention while watching the Hokies qualify for a bowl for a 22nd consecutive season, London must deal with the reality that there's still a lot to get ironed out in the offseason.

Though quarterback Matt Johns had his moments this season, at least London may finally have an established starter at quarterback in Greyson Lambert, who took his lumps against Tech. If there's a quarterback competition in the spring, Lambert should have the early edge.

More concerning to London has to be the status of his assistant coaches. The contracts of seven of London's nine assistants — all but defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta and safeties coach Mike Archer — are set to expire in the offseason.

Even Mike London’s legion of detractors concede that his Virginia football team is demonstrably better than last season’s depths. The Cavaliers, 2-10 a year ago, enter Friday’s regular-season finale at Virginia Tech 5-6 and favored over their state rivals for the first time since 2003.

As encouraging,...

Even Mike London’s legion of detractors concede that his Virginia football team is demonstrably better than last season’s depths. The Cavaliers, 2-10 a year ago, enter Friday’s regular-season finale at Virginia Tech 5-6 and favored over their state rivals for the first time since 2003.

As encouraging,...

(David Teel)

"I hadn't broached that idea, that point," said London after Friday's game. "We definitely will discuss those options, those things at the appropriate time with the athletic director, but the opportunity to move forward is something that is very much appreciated, very grateful of the opportunity coach Littlepage and (U.Va.) president (Teresa) Sullivan gave me. We want to turn this thing into — we're going to turn this thing into a program that our Virginia fans and Cavalier alumni can be proud of."

Though U.Va. came excruciatingly close at Tech (6-6, 3-5) to being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011, it wasn't enough. Lambert and Tech quarterback Michael Brewer bore the brunt of defensive pressure and absorbed blows they'll likely feel for days, but Lambert endured the worst of the damage.

Lambert completed 15 of 32 passes for 211 yards, a touchdown and an interception, but he wasn't available for comment after the game because he was knocked out of the contest on the first play of U.Va.'s final drive. Defensive ends Ken Ekanem and Dadi Nicolas got to him for a sack with 1:30 left, resulting in Lambert needing assistance to get off the field.

"We got better as a defense down the stretch," Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. "I really thought we executed better. This was the best Virginia team we've played in a few years, and our kids really stepped up."

Just one minute, 25 seconds earlier, Lambert looked like he was on his way to being the toast of the town in Charlottesville.

U.Va. had gotten into Tech's red zone three times in the first three quarters, mustering just two successful field goals in the process. Lambert finally got the Cavaliers into the end zone on their final trip inside the Hokies' 20-yard line via a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zachary Swanson with 2:55 left, putting U.Va. up 20-17.

Of course, Brewer and tight end Bucky Hodges answered with completions of 50 yards and 9 yards, the latter of which accounted for the game-winning touchdown with 1:48 remaining.

Though Lambert was just 4-of-11 passing for 67 yards in the first half, he improved to complete 11 of 21 passes for 144 yards in the second half by adjusting his release times to Tech's near-constant pressure, which created big problems for a U.Va. offensive line that had given up just 12 sacks all season entering the game.

Tech had no sacks in the first three quarters, but it had four in the fourth quarter, including two sacks against Johns on U.Va.'s final drive.

"Their game plan was to load up and rush — hit Greyson and hit our quarterbacks," said London, who admitted some of his offensive linemen were overmatched against Tech.

"They did a good job of rushing and mixing up their rushes. That's what they do, and he had to get rid of the ball a lot earlier than he wanted to. We've got to protect better in order for him to be productive and efficient in that situation."

It didn't help U.Va. that it was unable to establish any kind of ground game after the first quarter. It had 41 yards rushing in the first quarter, including 50 from Kevin Parks, but the Cavaliers had minus-3 yards rushing in the final three quarters.

Parks finished with 21 carries for 70 yards. Outside of the 195 yards U.Va. ran for against Miami, without Parks on the field after the first quarter due to a head injury that took him out of the game, the Cavaliers had 38 or fewer yards rushing in three of their last four games.

Without a running game, U.Va. was unable to keep Tech from going after Lambert and Johns. It's exactly what Tech coach Frank Beamer wanted to achieve against Lambert, who completed 4 of 16 passes for 54 yards and an interception as a redshirt freshman last season in U.Va.'s 16-6 loss to Tech while playing the fourth quarter in relief of starting quarterback David Watford.

"He's really a lot better quarterback this time around," Beamer said. "He's done a great job for them. He's a very accurate guy. I think the first thing you've got to do with a guy as accurate as him is try to get people around him. Once you knock him down a couple times, I think that has an effect throughout."